Authorities in New Hampshire have charged Keoma Duarte, 40, in connection with a deadly crash that claimed the life of Endicott College Police Sgt. Jeremy Cole. Duarte is facing charges of reckless conduct, disobeying an officer, and multiple counts related to motor vehicle homicide after allegedly driving his Tesla the wrong way on Interstate 95, leading to the fatal collision.
The Fatal Crash and Duarte’s Actions
On November 27, just before midnight, New Hampshire State Police observed Duarte driving his 2023 Tesla Model Y in the wrong direction down Interstate 95 in Hampton. Despite attempts by officers to stop him, Duarte continued to flee, crossing into Massachusetts. Sgt. Jeremy Cole, 49, was returning home from his shift when his vehicle collided head-on with Duarte’s car. The impact of the crash led to Sgt. Cole’s tragic death at the scene.
Duarte was airlifted to a Boston hospital with serious injuries. Even while at the scene, Duarte allegedly denied being involved in the crash, even though his car was severely damaged, and he had caused the death of Sgt. Cole. Prosecutor James Gubotose reported that Duarte continued to deny the accident even as paramedics attended to him.
Evidence of Drunk Driving
Upon rescuing Duarte from his vehicle, officers immediately noticed the strong smell of alcohol. Authorities also discovered that Duarte had tried to stop at a liquor store earlier that evening, but it was closed. Undeterred, he continued driving, entering I-95 from the wrong direction and traveling about 15 miles before the crash. Duarte was later charged with motor vehicle homicide while under the influence, reckless operation, and manslaughter, also facing charges in Massachusetts for the same incident.
Duarte’s Legal Proceedings
Duarte was arraigned on the new charges in New Hampshire on Wednesday and has since bonded out of jail. He is facing serious legal consequences as authorities in both New Hampshire and Massachusetts continue to investigate the crash.
Remembering Sgt. Jeremy Cole
Sgt. Jeremy Cole, known as “J. Cole,” was a dedicated member of the Endicott College Police Department for 15 years. He was well-respected and loved by the campus community, known for his bravery, warmth, and sense of humor. In 2021, Cole was honored for saving the life of a coach who went into cardiac arrest on campus.
Endicott College President Steven R. DiSalvo described Cole as a student-focused officer, noting his selflessness and caring nature. “Eileen and I will miss his genuine kindness and his warm sense of humor,” DiSalvo added, reflecting on the great loss felt by the Endicott community.
Impact of the Crash
The death of Sgt. Cole is a profound tragedy, not only for his family and colleagues but also for the broader community. His dedication to serving others and his heroism will be remembered, and his passing has left a lasting void within the Endicott College Police Department and the surrounding community.
